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(f)
Inadequate institutional capacity among formal training providers to increase
intake and output numbers of ICT graduates.
CHAP
SITUATION ANALYSIS
2.2
EDUCATION, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
The Zambian education system especiallyinpublic schools is characterised by low ICT
adoption rates. There are over 6,000 public schools out of which very few have ICT
subjects as part of the curriculum. In 1998, the Ministry of Education started an initiative
to introduce camputer studies in selected secondary schools. The results have not been as
expected; however, the initiative needs to be encouraged and scales up to all schools. On
the other hand, private schools are promoting ICT literacy though only a small percentage
of the pupils are ICT literate by the time they leave secondary school.
A number of research institutions have acquired human capacity to work with ICT tools such
as computers. However, the level of use of ICTs and the outcome of such activities needs
to improve. Holistic approaches to R&D with the support of ICTs need to be put in place.
Again, R&D focused on developing products and services for the local ICT market need to
be encouraged.
It is acknowledged that Zambia faces a number of challenges in the educational system.
Some of these include:(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
2.3
General financial and technological resource constraints that the Government faces
in its Effort to develop and improve the educational system including fforts
Directed at integrating ICTs in education;
Inadequate awareness on the benefits of integrating ICTs in the administration of
the delivery chain in the education sector;
Lack of coordinated approach in the adoption and implementation of initiatives
targeted at the deployment of ICTs within the educational system;
High opportunity cost of deploying ICTs in the educational system - it is difficult to
justify spending scarce and limited resources on ICTs when many institutions are
still lacking basic amenities and educational supplies; and
Shortage of teachers with ICT skills to meet the requirements of the schools, thus
limiting ICT penetration within the education system.
PUBLIC ACCESS, MEDIA & CULTURAL HERITAGE
For the majority of Zambians, access to information is mainly by way of physical means
such as libraries, postal communications and print media. However, radio and TV are
some of the most popular means of access to information; though tv despite being the most
attractive media has very limited coverage across the country. Equally important, access
to information via networked systems such as the Internet and mobile phones is very
limited mainly due to non-availability of telecommunications infrastructure and high access
costs for many consumers.
3